The Mac Mini Redesign: A Long-Awaited Update

Apple is set to unveil a completely redesigned Mac mini featuring the new M4 and M4 Pro chips later this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This marks the first significant design change for the Mac mini since 2010, making it the smallest desktop computer Apple has ever produced.

The new Mac mini will be nearly as compact as an Apple TV, though slightly taller than the current model’s 1.4 inches. It will continue to sport the sleek aluminum shell, a hallmark of Apple's design aesthetic.

The rationale behind this redesign is clear. The footprint of the M-series logic boards is remarkably small, leaving a lot of unused space in the current Mac mini chassis. This excess space is not in line with Apple’s typical approach to design, which emphasizes efficiency and cohesion. So, a redesign to optimize space and integrate everything more cohesively was always on the horizon.

Here are some key details about the upcoming Mac mini models:

• The new design will include at least three USB-C ports on the back, along with a dedicated area for the power cable and an HDMI port.
• Two versions will be available: one equipped with the standard M4 chip, similar to the iPad Pro, and another featuring the more powerful M4 Pro chip.
• The base model is expected to begin shipping from suppliers this month, while the high-end model is slated for release in October.

The introduction of the M4 generation signifies a significant step for Apple, as it will be the first time they utilize the same chip generation across all of their Macs. This includes updates to the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro within the next year.

This redesign of the Mac mini is a logical progression, given the advancements in hardware and the need for a more space-efficient design.